The Gilded Quill: Elegance and Evasion

[Gilded Quill 118]

 

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Volume I, Edition III

20th of Sun’s Smile, 1981
 

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             Welcome to this special edition of The Gilded Quill, where I, Bel Aurum, have adopted the color violet to grace this parchment, symbolizing a proud participation in the grand theme of Lady Lucia's Ball of Duality from behind my very own quill. Violet, a hue of pride and royalty, perfectly captures the essence of uncovering the secret moments that our esteemed Heartlanders so often think no one is paying attention to. So, with this violet ink flowing as freely as the lips at the ball, let us delve into the enchanting and tantalizing events of Lady Lucia’s unforgettable debut.

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Our first spectacle of the night was none other than Prince Paul, or should I say, the former Prince Paul. With all the audacity of a fox in a henhouse, Paul arrived bedecked in his old circlet and regalia, despite his disownment decree expressly forbidding such displays. Clearly, he must have mistaken the late Queen Catherine I’s decree for a jest. The ball was buzzing with anticipation as Queen Adalia, flanked by Heartlandic knights and legionnaires, confronted her disgraced uncle with the cutting remark, “I knew this ball had a theme, but I wasn’t aware it was a costume ball.” Alas, the 'Prince No Longer' fled the scene, slippery as a trout from the River Petra, evading a masterful fisherman. The Moere bastard left behind a trail of bemused onlookers, and not a soul inclined to pursue his pompous self.

 

Meanwhile, Queen Hedwig of Aaun seems to have taken up the role of matchmaker, pairing the young men and women of the Heartlands for dances. Is this a newfound hobby of hers or a strategic maneuver to strengthen ties within the provinces? One must wonder if she’s merely finding her footing as Queen-Consort or if she’s simply enjoying a leisurely respite now that John Valentinus, Prince of Alstion, has been given the responsibility of Chamberlain of the Paradisian Court moving forward. This author supposes only time will tell.

 

The current jewel of the Heartlands, Miss Lucia, had the privilege to choose her dance partner before anyone else, at Queen Hedwig’s behest; yet, instead of selecting a suitable match for marriage or to even hint at such a notion, she opted to dance with Father Davide, a man devoted to GOD, and GOD only. What could this mean, dear readers? Did she find the eligible gentlemen unworthy? Or, perhaps, is her heart already claimed by another? Even so, that Mistress of Robes enjoys keeping us guessing, the clever girl, and this author is eager to get to the very bottom of such an untelling tale!

 

Despite Lady Lucia being the focal point of this special ball, the true main event was the surprise engagement of Dame-Maire Amélie Auclair and Man-At-Arms Sorrel von Theonus. The odd yet endearing Sorrel proposed with nothing but adoration in his eyes, and Amélie’s tearful nod was met with resounding applause throughout the Hand of Horen. However, the night took an unseemly turn when Joa von Leopold, after jovially congratulating the couple, seemed to have forgotten to dampen his voice, and revealed the most scurrilous details regarding his own fiancee, Miss Valerie Auclair – of course, Dame Amélie Auclair’s darling sister. Mister Joa revealed that he and his Miss Auclair were to hasten down the aisle, as his fiancée has a very precarious condition indeed, causing a woman to be quite suddenly in need of a husband. A curious thing to reveal at such a grandiose gathering, indeed, Mister Leopold… 

 

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The delights and dramas of our society events are something this author takes much splendor in! They are as lovely as they are enlightening! However, dear readers, let this be a reminder: guard your secrets well if you do not wish to see what the Gilded Quill will scribble. Moreover, Heartlanders, if you wish to find oneself on the ink-side of The Gilded Quill, one must take a cue from the Paradisian Court and infuse one’s seasonal gatherings, as well as the ones you attend, with the perfect blend of intrigue and wonderment.

 

After all, the most captivating stories are born from the most interesting lives.

 

Yours in eternal intrigue,

 

 

Bel Aurum

[Chorale__ 2147]

Prince Paul Alexander of the Petra cocked a brow at the recent release of the gossip column with an amused grin rising from the sides of his lips,

 

“Adalia was at the ball? I must have missed her. I made nol quick exit, I was quite enjoying moself. . the Mistress Lucia did an excellent job putting it all together, but I do wonder how long this Bel Aurum character will continue to write lies.”

 

The aging Prince and former Duke recalled toward a table of his closest companions.

[kuerbis 3802]

Lucia smiled to herself as she read the much anticipated missive. A laugh escaped her as the dance with Father Davide was mentioned. She sent the missive to that priestly man, knowing he might find humor in it as well. @Nectorist

[ibiou 2397]

19 minutes ago, Gilded Quill said:

Meanwhile, Queen Hedwig of Aaun seems to have taken up the role of matchmaker, pairing the young men and women of the Heartlands for dances. Is this a newfound hobby of hers or a strategic maneuver to strengthen ties within the provinces? One must wonder if she’s merely finding her footing as Queen-Consort or if she’s simply enjoying a leisurely respite now that John Valentinus, Prince of Alstion, has been given the responsibility of Chamberlain of the Paradisian Court moving forward. This author supposes only time will tell.

The aforementioned Queen HEDWIG OF WARSOVIA raised a brow. Expecting the comment to be negative upon her first reading, oddly she was surprised as she trailed towards the end of the segment. "She must like me, this one." She commented towards her dear husband, CHARLES II, on the eve of the missive's arrival. "Look at how my character was not questioned? No ill speculation? I will keep that in mind when I solve who it is."

@Olox_

[JudgeTrudy 610]

It was early in the morning that this newest edition of The Gilded Quill was cracked open. A sigh would escape Theodore as he read over the first section. "That poor man...He really should be more careful!" he'd mumble to himself through a mouthful of nearly-stale bread. Most of the rest of his reading would go in silence, before he'd practically spit out a mouthful of tea at the news of the Lady Mayor and Sorrel. "Engaged?! Goodness me! Good for them both." he'd say with a widening grin.

 

As the paper was finished and folded up, Theo would comment to himself. "I'll have to get them a gift....and this might be the first wedding I'll try and attend in ages! Now if only I could find a match for myself..."

[Destructokeith 1142]

While the older knight had simply tagged along to escort the young queen to the hand, he had stayed after seeing Paul once more acting above his station although he did seem to vanish into thin air shortly after their arrival, sadly for Artel he only heard word of his nephews engagement upon returning home "oh ein shame ich went to der diet, ich would have loved to have seen it, alas if will have to make up for it at der wedding" he says as he begins to prepare for the event.

[mothsthetic 2250]

“A shame my great uncle left before we could converse.” The young Adalia of the Petra sighs, swirling her glass of apple juice. “I do hope he doesn’t continue to disgrace my mother’s word by playing royal.”

[Bogatyr 335]

"All but I?" Iskander Basrid, the Count of Susa, lamented; the magnitude of his shriek, of course, mitigated by the 'frog' caught in his throat the evening prior. A very tobaccoey frog it was. He propped his Rhenyar pipe to his tar-sated gums and blew into it quiet and thoughtful architectural logics with a presidential timber. The lord, being the cosmopolitan, metrosexual type that he was, with spittle on his chin, water on his pants, molasses in his ears, spice on his nose, maybe oil in his hair and the moon shining effusively down on him, couldn't help but shed a tear at his exclusion from the column!

[carebear 1291]

Screeching came from the von Theonus keep as Calla von Theonus got her hands on the gossiping news column.

"SORREL! SORREL YOU'RE ENGAGED?!"

She screamed from her living room, then grabbed a piece of parchement and wrote a hurried letter to her son.

"I haven't even met her!"